Tag Archives: Attitude
Coping skill
Chronically Ill and Ceaselessly Blessed
My friend Francee Strain wrote today’s “Whatever” post. Francee elaborates on why, as the title suggests, she enjoys blessings even though she struggles with serious chronic illnesses. She authored the book No Ordinary Invitation and writes a blog, Come Unto Me Ministries. Francee’s Thoughts Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Yet, this is a phrase […]
Continue readingMy Ultimate Hope Despite My Invisible Disabilities
Hope, the optimistic belief that my life still matters, derives from a variety of sources. Hope is needed in diverse situations. In Navigating the Storms, we talk about chronic illnesses not able to be seen by others; sometimes, not even understood by doctors. So, where do I find hope despite my invisible disabilities? Forty-plus years […]
Continue readingDo I Love Me When Things Get Bad?
“I love me” sounds kind of selfish, doesn’t it? It may be, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be something else. Self-compassion. A necessary element, especially for the chronically ill. Self-compassion by invisibly disabled people is critical. The technical definition Self-compassion is the extension of kindness, care, warmth, and understanding (instead of beratement […]
Continue readingThe Staredown
Francee Strain Francee introduces our new guest writer segment; it will air every first Friday of the month. Her unexpected face-to-face meeting with the buck (pictured above) in her backyard provided the inspiration for “Staredown.” That encounter gave rise to this article about what we see when we stare at ourselves. Checkout her website, Come […]
Continue readingBending Not Breaking
Is it truly possible to gain strength from invisible disabilities? Yes! Take a lesson from the trees. The harder the wood, the more likely it is to break in the wind. The more resilient, the more likely to bend. Wind comes with our storms; let’s learn how to bend. Notice that the stiffest tree is […]
Continue readingLive AGAIN! But how can I?
"I was assigned a role for which I did not audition. Yet I have the power to choose how I will live out that story and play that role. I want to live my story well and play my role with as much integrity and joy as I can." (P. 195)* These words are a […]
Continue readingHealthy People – This Post’s for You!
Connected Carole's note: Due to a sick day – not mine, but my husband, Joe's – this is a shortened version of what I intended to write about "Dear Healthy People" by Ken McKim. We spent seven hours in the ER yesterday and found out that Joe had had a tiny stroke (not a TIA […]
Continue readingIs My Life Hard to Understand? Find Help Here!
Where do I start? My first thought when someone asks what’s wrong with me! Maybe other dwellers think that, too. Especially if they have multiple issues or a difficult-to-describe rare condition. It's not that I don't want to explain; I just don't know what to say. The desire to be understood is a deep need […]
Continue readingWhat Happens When You Focus on Your Attitude?
One way to define attitude: personal view of something, specifically how you see life. See how invisibly disabled people make attitude choices. Is your life in a tough place right now? Or maybe it’s going relatively well? Do you need an attitude change? So, maybe it’s time to focus on your attitude. We can’t change […]
Continue readingI CAN’T Go Through This! This Is TOO Hard!
Coping with invisible disability flare-ups can be a daunting experience. How do you feel when yet again your problems exacerbate? Do you feel like you just can’t go through it again? Or maybe it’s not a flare. Maybe it’s an all-the-time experience. How do you cope? My 8 year-old granddaughter tripped in front of their […]
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